A strong advocate for Ethical Leadership and Responsible Business, the CEO Roundtable of Tanzania (CEOrt) has made efforts within the media and through various forums to highlight the negative and long term effects of corruption on the nation’s growing economy.
As part of the organization’s Responsible Business Agenda, the CEOrt worked in collaboration with the Ethics Secretariat to put in place a National Integrity Pledge for Public Leaders, Public Servants and Private Sector. Ms. Santina Majengo Benson, Executive Director of the CEO Roundtable of Tanzania, spearheaded the CEOrt’s Ethical Leadership agenda through the establishment of this pledge.
The Integrity Pledge is a formal and concrete expression of commitment to abide by ethical practices and to support a National Campaign on Ethics and War Against Corruption. A commitment to uphold ethical behaviour and anti-corruption principles, the National Integrity Pledge brought attention to the fact that corruption is a multi-stakeholder issue and provided an opportunity for the Government and Private Sector to combine efforts towards tackling corruption. A demonstration of the CEOrt’s stance for ethical leadership, 100% of our members have signed the National Integrity Pledge.
The efforts to build a culture of integrity are heavily supported by the Government of Tanzania, calling for the adoption of a zero-tolerance approach to corruption, and reinforcing the need for transparency and accountability. Whilst it may take time for the country to win the fight against corruption, these initiatives are an important first step in support of a cause that underpins Tanzania’s socio-economic growth prospects.
A commitment to ethical behavior goes far beyond signing the National Integrity Pledge. Within the Private Sector, business leaders have a key role to play in implementing a culture of integrity and ethical conduct. From leading by example to putting measures in practice that ingrain ethics in organizations, leaders can influence how others contribute to the elimination of corruption. The first step in resolving a problem is admitting it exists, and at the CEOrt, we firmly stand for ethical leadership and accountability to foster an integrous culture across society.